Shrimp peeling, deveining and meat separating machine



Aug. 28, 1956 N. MILLER 5 2 SHRIMP FEELING, DEVEINING AND MEATSEPARATING MACHINE Filed April 2,1953

I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 &\\\\ INVENTOR.

NIKOL I MILL 5!? /18 .m/QM

I 7 TTOE/ E Y N. MILLER Aug. 28. 1956 SHRIMP FEELING, DEVEINING AND MEATSEPARATING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1953- 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. /V/Kou MILLER Aug. 28, 1956 N. MILLER SHRIMP FEELING, DEVEINING AND MEATSEPARATING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. NmouMILLER C IQ77'OP/Y6Y United States Patent SHRIMP PEELING, DEVEINING ANDMEAT SEPARATING MACHINE Nikoli Miller, New York, N. Y.

Application April 2, 1953, Serial No. 346,449

Claims. (Cl. 17-2) No. 186,279 filed September 22, 1950, for ShrimpPeeling and Veining Machine issued May 5, 1953, as Patent No. 2,637,064.

A further object of this invention is to provide highly improved meansfor removing the legs which stick to the shrimp body after the shell isremoved from the shrimp body.

Another object of this invention is to provide a highly improved meansfor deveining the shrimp including a belt running on a pair of rear andfront horizontal wheels with a deveining or vein piercing tool having acurved edge substantially contacting the curved portion of the belt asit contacts the front wheel whereby to press the shell of the shrimpagainst said curved portion of the belt, and said wheel being formedwith a central annular groove to permit the belt to be pressed into thegroove as the shell is caught between the curved edge of the tool andthe belt to facilitate removal of the shell from the body of the shrimp.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter described, comprising a pair of symmetrically arranged beltsmounted on top of a horizontal table, said belts being driven by wheelsturning about vertical axes, with said belts having adjacent inner runsadapted to grip a shrimp therebetween to move it forwardly, highlyimproved means being provided to press said adjacent runs of the belttoward each other with substantially equal pressure and means beingfurther provided to keep said belts taut.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide in a machine ofthe character described an arm rotatable about a horizontal axis andhaving its lower end projecting between the adjacent inner runs of saidpair of belts to press the shrimp body downwardly against another belthaving a horizontal top run disposed below the lower edges of saidadjacent runs to guide said shrimp against the deveining and peelingtool.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide in a machine ofthe character described, highly improved means to brush the pair ofbelts clean during the operation of the machine.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a strong, ruggedand durable machine of the character de scribed, which shall berelatively inexpensive to manufacture, smooth and positive in operation,and yet practical and eificient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification and accompanyingthe same:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof with parts broken away and in crosssection;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the structure shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view taken on the plane 77 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a scross sectional view taken on the line 10 10 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 11 11 of Fig. 1.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates a machineembodying the invention. The same comprises a stand 11 having rear legs12 and front legs 13. Said legs support a top table or platform 14provided with upstanding side fianges 15, a rear upstanding flange 16,and front upstanding flanges 17. Said front and rear legs areinterconnected by a pair of horizontal side angle irons 18 supporting atransverse platform 19 disposed below the table top 14. Said legs alsoare interconnected by a pair of angle irons 20 supporting a platform 21disposed below a platform 19.

The table 14 is formed with a central longitudinal slot 24 terminatingshort of the end flanges 16 and 17 of the table. Said table isfurthermore formed with a pair of through openings 25, 26 symmetricallydisposed with respect to the slot 24 and located adjacent the forwardend of said slot.

Mounted on the platform 19 is a gear reduction box 27. Mounted on thegear reduction box 27 is an input shaft 28 carrying a sprocket gear 29.Mounted on the bottom platform 21 is an electric motor 30 provided witha shaft 31 carrying a sprocket gear 32. The sprocket gears 29 and 32 areinterconnected by sprocket chain 33. Mounted within the gear reductionbox 27 are a pair of horizontally aligned shafts 35 and 36, oneextending to one side of the box and the other to the other side of thebox. Extending upwardly from the gear box 27 are a pair of similar,symmetrical, vertical output shafts 37. Within the box 27 is anysuitable reduction gearing for rotating the shafts. The vertical shafts37 rotate in opposite directions, the lower shaft, looking at Fig. 2,rotating in a clockwise direction, and the upper shaft, looking at saidfigure in a counter-clockwise direction. The shaft 35 is rotated in aclockwise direction, looking at Fig. 1 of the drawing. The shaft 36rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of theshaft 35. The shafts 37 rotate at the same speed.

The shafts 37 project upwardly through said openings 25 in the table orplatform 14. Mounted on the portions of said shafts which project abovethe table are flanged pulleys or wheels 40. Said pulleys are similar andsymmetrically disposed with respect to slot 24.

Mounted on the rear end of the table 14 on opposite sides of slot 24 andrearwardly thereof are symmetrically arranged pairs of shafts 42, 43 onwhich are mounted flanged pulleys 42a and 43a. The axes of the shafts42, 43 are all inthe same vertical plane. Surrounding each pulley 40andthe pulleys 42aand- 43aonthe same side of the slot 24, is a belt:'45. The belts 45 are symmetrical relative to slot 24. 'Each belt. 45 hasan outer. longitudinal run 4521. and an inner'longihrdinal run 45b; Theinner runs 4512 arenormally spaced from one another substantially'by'the widthofthe slot 24 and would run parallel except that. they arepressed toward each other by means to be describedhereinafter: Thepulleys 42a. and 43a are idlers, motion being imparted to the belts 4'5by pulleys 40.

Meansis provided to press the; inner runs 4512' of: the belts 45' towardeach other. To this end table 141 is formed on opposite sides of slot 24(see Figs. 7 and. 8") with pairs of through openings 46" inwhiclr aremounted bushings 4.7..

One pair of" openings 46' is closer together than the other pair.Extending through the bushings in one pair of openings are vertical pins48 projecting below said bushing. Fixed to the lower ends of the pins4Bas by set screws 49 are arms 50 extending toward each other andoverlapping with one arm spaced above the other. The arms 50 are formedwith registering slots 51% and extending through said slots is a cotterpin 52; Fixed to the upper ends of the pins 48 are arms 53 inclinedforwardly and toward each other. Carried by the inner end of each arm53' is a roller or follower 54 contacting the inner surface of the innerrun 4512 of one. of the belts.

It will be noted that the bushings, 47. and the arms. 53 are locatedbetween. the runs 452: and 45b. of the belts.

Extending through the other pair of bushings 47 are pins 55', on. thelower ends of which are fixed arms 56. provided with. registering slots57' through. which. extend a cotter pin. 58". Fixed to the upper end ofthe pins 55 and disposedv above the table are arms 59. inclined' towardeach other and"carrying at their forward ends, rollers 60 likewisecontacting the inner runs 451i of the belt. 45. The cotter pin-58'extend's to a point below the cotter pin 52.

Interconnecting the inner. edges 24av of the slot 24. are a plurality ofhorizontallspaced transverse spacers. 61 having top surfaces 61adisposedbelow the top surface 14:: of the table.

Attached to the underside. of one of the spacers. 611's a transverseangle iron 62 having a vertical downwardly extending, wall 'or flange.63 formed with an opening through which extends a screw 64. A nut 65 onsaid screw contacts the back of wall 6.3. Screw 64 is connected. by coilspring, 66. to the. pin 52. A second screw 67 extends. through. anopening in the. vertical flange 63 of they angle iron 62 andv carries a.nut. 68' contacting said flange- Screw 67. is connected by spring. 69 tothe, pin 58.. Thus pins 52 and 58 are drawn rearwardly tending. to:rotate. the. arms 53 toward. each other and, also the arms. 59 towardeach other... By turning the nuts- 65 and- 68 the tension on the springs66 and 69 may be adjusted for adjustingthe pressure. of the rollers. 54'and 60 against the inner runs- 45bv of the. belts 45.. Preferably, thepressure of these rollers should be similar.

Therollers. 54. and- 60. are. located substantially at. the middle of.the. inner runs 45b.

Attached to. the. top of table. 14, and. on. opposite sides. of the.inner runs of the belt. 45, are. aligned pairs of bushings 70..Iournalled in each. bushing 70. is a, pin 71 projecting above thebushing. Attached to. the upper end of each. pin. 71,, as by set screw72. is an arm 73- inclined forwardly and. inwardly- Attached to. theinner end of each. arm 73 and. extending downwardly there.- frorn, ispin: 74 formed with a head at. its. lower end, Mounted on each; pin. 74is. a. roller 75. formed. with a flange 76 at its upper. end. The.rollers 75. contact the inner runs 45b of the belts. The front pair of.arms. Z3. each carry fixed. upstanding pinsv 77. Each. pairof plus. 7.7are interconnected by a coil tension spring. 78 which:

'47 press rollers 75 towards each other. The pins 74 of the morerear-wardly pair ofarms 73' are interconnected by coil tension spring 80which also press a pair of rollers 75 toward each other.

It will be noted that the pairs of arms 73 are located between arms 53,59 and the pulleys 40. One pair of rollers 75 is spaced fromthe otherpair of rollers.

Another pair of arms 73si'mil'arly mounted are located between the arms53 and v the; rear pulleys 42a; 4322.. and

likewise carry rollers 75. topress the inner runs 451: of the beltstoward each other. Between the rear arms 73 and the arms 53 are locatedanother pair of pivoted arms $8. pivoted. about fixed. pins 84' anddrawn: toward each other by coil tension spring, 85. The forward ends ofthe arms carry'rollers 86 to press the inner runs of the belts 45 towardeach other.

Means is provided to take up slack in the belts 45 and to keepthem taut.To this end. there is fixed to the table top 1'4, and near' the sideflanges 15', pins 90 located be,- tween; the outer runs 45a of the belts45 and said'flanges 15 and closerto the rear pulleys, 42a and 4321thanto, the front pulleys 40. Pivoted to the pins 90 andextendingforwardly therefrom are arms 91 carrying rollers. 92contacting'the outer runs of the belt. The forward ends ofsaid arms aredrawn to each other by coil tension spring 93- interconnecting saidarms- Supported on the transverse spacer strips. 61 is. a horizontalflat bar 95, the top surface of which is flush with the top surface 14aof the table 14. The rear end of the bar 95 is spaced fromthe rear endof the slot 2.4. The forward end of the bar '95 is spaced from theforward end of the slot 24 by a greater distance. Attached to theunderside of the table 14 adjacent the slot 24, are a pair of'bearings97 (one only of these bearings being shown), supporting a pairoftransverse horizontal, parallel shafts 98-, 99 crossing beneath theslot 24'. The rear shaft 98 i's'located at' the rear end of the slot 24.The front shaft 99 is-l'ocated forwardly of the forward end of bar 95.

Mounted on shaft 98 is a wheel or pulley 100. Mounted on shaft- 99 iswheel or pulley 101. The pulley 101: is formed with an annular centralgroove 1"02. Thev pulleys 100 and 101 project upwardly into the slot24'. The tops of the-pulleys aresubstantially flush with the top surfaceof table 14. Received on said pulleys is a belt 103'. Spacer strips 61are located between the. pulleys. 100, 101. The bar 95 is also locatedbetween said pulleys. The top run 103m of the belt rests on the bar 95and is l'oca-ted below the lower edges of the inner runs 45b. of thebelts 45a The lower edges of said belts 45 are spacedv above the. tabletop and substantially at the level of the upper surface ofthe upper run103a of the belt 10'3.v

On the shaft 99 is a sprocket wheel I05 connected by sprocket chain 106to asprocket' wheel 107 mounted on shaft 36'. Sprocket chain 106 isinclined upwardly and rearwardly. With such construction the motor 30,will drive the belt 103. Looking at; Fig. 3;. pulley 101 rotates r'naclockwise direction so that the upper run 103a of the belt 103 movesforwardly or in the same direction as the. I ll-I161 runs 45b of thebelt 45.

It will now be understood that shrimps S may be fed between the innerruns 45b of the belts 45 from the. rear end. These shrimp are moved ontheir backs forwardly over the table; until they are gripped by thebelts 45'. It will be noted that the pulleys 42a are spaced apart andthat the portions of the inner runs of the belts passing from saidpulleys are inclined inwardly toward each other as shown in Fig. 2' ofthe drawing to.- facilitate. insertion. of the shrimp. The shrimps aredecapitated before. 111381: tion into the machine. Thetails110. are to.the. rear and the legs 111 are at the top. The shrimps S. rest, on run103a of belt 103. The sand ein. 112. inthe body 113. Of the shrimp; is.at the bottom. The shell 114. surrounds the body.

It. is; the purpose. of this machine toclean. out the sand vein 112,remove and clean the shell 114 fronr the body 113, and also to removethe legs 111 from the body 113. All the operator has to do is to insertthe shrimp, one after the other, between the inner runs of the belt, andas the shrimp is moved forwardly, the deveining operation as well as theremoval of the shell 114 and the legs 111 is carried out automaticallyby means to be described hereinafter.

Means is provided to hold the shrimps down against the top run 103a ofthe belt 103. To this end there is fixed to the table top 14 and at oneside of one of the inner runs 45b, an upwardly and rearwardly inclinedarm or bracket 120, carrying a horizontal pin 121 at its upper end.Pivoted to the pin 121 and inclined downwardly and forwardly is an arm122 received between the inner runs 45b of the belts 45. Arm 122 isinterconnected to arm 120 by coil tension spring 123 (see Figs. 3 and4). The lower end of the arm 122 contacts the top of the shrimp as theshrimp passes lengthwise and presses it down against the upper run 10311of the belt 103. It will be noted that the arm 122 is located rearwardlyof the front wheel 101.

Means is provided to press the shrimp down against the portion of theupper run of the belt which begins to contact the front wheel 101. Tothis end there is fixed to the table top 14 just rearwardly of one ofthe pulleys 40, a bearing member 125. The bearing 125 comprises the pairof legs 126 straddling the outer run 45a of the belt 45 located at theside of the machine corresponding to the side where the shaft 35 islocated. These legs 126 are attached to the table top by screws 127. Thelegs 126 carry a horizontal transverse sleeve 129 in which is located abushing 130. Passing through the bushing 130 is a shaft 131 carrying atone end sprocket wheel 132. The sprocket wheel 132 is connected bysprocket chain 133 to a sprocket wheel 35a on shaft 35. Thus shaft 131is rotated by motor power derived from the motor 30.

Fixed to the opposite end of shaft 131 is a bevel gear 137. On shaft 131is bushing 138 in which said shaft is journalled. Mounted on bushing 138is box 140. The box 140 has top and bottom walls 141 and outer wall 142and inner wall 143 formed with opening 144 in which the bushing 138 ismounted. Said box also has an end wall 145 and an opposite wall 146formed with opening 147. Fixed to wall 146 is a sleeve 150. Fixed to theopposite end of the sleeve 150 is another box 151. The box 151 has awall 152 formed with an opening 153 aligned with the opening 147. Box151 has a wall 154 opposite wall 152. It is formed with top and bottomwalls 155. It also has an inner wall 156 and outer wall 157. Wall 157 isformed with an opening 158. Extending through sleeve 150 is a shaft 160.Fixed to one end of the shaft is a bevel gear 161 meshing with the bevelgear 137 and located within box 140. On said shaft 160 is a bushing 162mounted within opening 147. Fixed to the opposite end of the shaft 160is bevel gear 163 located within the box 151. On said shaft 160 isbushing 164 mounted within the opening 153.

Within opening 158 is mounted a bushing 166. Journalled within bushing166 is a shaft 167. Fixed to one end of the shaft is a bevel gear 168located within box 151 and meshing with bevel gear 163. Mounted on oneend of shaft 167 is a disc 170 the lower portion of which is receivedbetween the inner runs 45a of the belt 45. The axis of shaft 167 islocated substantially directly above the axis of shaft 99.

It will now be noted that when the motor operates, disc 170 will rotatein a clockwise direction, looking at Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing. Saiddisc 170 may be formed with a central peripheral groove 170a. As thedisc 170 rotates, it will press the shrimp down against the top of thebelt as the belt begins to contact the wheel 101.

Means is provided to devein the shrimp and at the same time to separatethe shell 114, from the body of the shrimp. To this end there is fixedto the underside of table 14 (see Fig. 9) an angle bracket 180, having adownwardly extending flange 181 located to one side of a vertical planebisecting slot 24 longitudinally. This bracket is located between thewheel 101 and the pulleys 40. Attached to flange 181 is a piercing or deveining tool 182 disposed in a vertical plane. The tool 182 has a rearcurved under edge 184 substantially contacting the curved surface of theportion of belt 103 which contacts the upper portion of wheel 101. Saidtool has a rearwardly extending point 185 located substantially directlyabove the axis of the shaft 99, said point constituting the rear end ofthe curved edge 184. Said tool 182 has a top edge 186 located slightlyabove the supper surface of the upper run 103a of the belt 103, saidupper edge extending forwardly of the point 185. The curved edge 184 maybe substantially 90 in extent.

As the shrimp is moved forwardly between the inner runs 45a of the belts45, and is pressed down first by arm 122 and then by rotating disc 170,the forward end 185 of the tool 182 will enter the vein 112 of theshrimp and said tool will also engage the inside of the bottom portionof the shell 114. The body of shrimp will contact the top edge 186 ofthe tool and will be moved forwardly, but the shell being weaker at thetop, will break or sever at that place and the shell will be drawndownwardly between the edge 184 and the belt 103. Thus the shell 114will be separated from the body of the shrimp and at the same time thesand vein of the shrimp will be cleaned out and removed.

It will be noted that the curved edge 184 is aligned with the annulargroove 102 in the wheel 101 so that the belt may be pushed into thegroove at the place where the shell is wedged or moves between the edge184 and the belt. The groove 102 therefore permits the belt to bepressed inwardly so as to facilitate passage of the shell between thecurved edge 184 and said belt. The shells will slide down an inclinedtransverse chute or guide 187 attached at its upper end to the undersideof the table 114 as by screws 188. Any suitable receptacle may bepositioned to receive the shells which drop down the chute or guide 187.

It will be noted that the legs 111 stick to the body as the body of theshrimp slides along the top of tool 182 and between the inner run 45b ofthe belts. Means is provided to remove these legs from the body of theshrimp. To this end there is fixed to the table top 14, an upstandingbracket 190 carrying a pin 191 at its upper end. Pivoted to said pin isan arm 192 projecting down between the inner runs 45b of the belts 45.The arm 192 is resiliently pressed downwardly by a coil tension spring193 which interconnects the swinging arm 192 with the bracket 190. Thearm 192 is inclined downwardly and forwardly. Its lower edge is serratedas at 194 and this serrated edge serves to sever or tear the legs 111off the body of the shrimp. As the shrimp is moved forwardly, it iscarried to point above another chute 195 which is attached to theunderside of the belt and is in clined downwardly and forwardly. Whenthe shrimp reaches the point where the inner runs of the belt begin toseparate as they approach the pulleys 40, the body of the shrimp isreleased and drops down through slot 24 on to the chute so that it canbe guided to any suitable receptacle. The shrimps move down through theforward end of the slot 24 to the chute 195.

Any suitable water supply system (not shown) may be provided for washingthe shrimp as it passes through the machine.

Means is provided to clean the belts 45. To this end there is mounted onthe table 14 at the two front corners thereof Z-shaped brackets 200,supporting vertical pins 201 on each of which is rotatably mounted abrush 202. The brushes 202 contact portions of the belts which contactthe pulleys 40. Each pulley 40 is formed at its upper end with anadditional reduced pulley 203 belted as by belt 204 to a pulley 205fixed to rotate with the brush 202. Thus the brushes 202 will rotatewhile the machine operates, to. clean the. portion. of the belt whicheventually grips the shrimp.

I claim as new and. desire. to, secure by. Letters Patent of} theUnited- States:

1,. A shrimp peeling andfdeveiningmachine, comprising atable;ahorizontal travelling endless. conveyor disposed on said table, theupper run of which conveyor is. located substantially in theplaneof thetop, of the table; resilient lateral, guidev means located above theupper run of. said conveyor; means, on the table for driving; saidconveyor so that a shrimp fed between said guide means will: be moved,forwardly onthe upper runv of said conveyor; a forwardly disposed wheel,over which said conveyor is trained, said wheel being formed, with. avcentral; peripheral groove betweentwo peripheral; cylindricalportionsof, sub,- stantial, width, said endless conveyor contacting; said,cylindrical portions, of the forward wheel on opposite sides of; thegroove-and being; normally spaced from the bottom of, said groove;whereby to; provide a yielding; support for theshrimp as it passes. oversaid wheel; and a deveining tool; having a rearwardly extending point,located above they axis of said; forward Wheel, adapted totenterthe;sand vein of a, shrimp fed forwardly.

2. A, shrimp, peeling and; 'deveining machine as; defined in; claim 1,wherein said. deveining tool is, formed. with a depending; curved edge.adjacent: a. portionof the con.- veyor contacting; the forward wheel,whereby said; portion of the conveyor may be depressed into. the. grooveby the shell of the shrimp as the. latter is moved between said conveyorand said curvededge.

3.. A. shrimp peeling and deveiningmachine. as: defined inclaim 1,wherein the shell and sandvein are removed from the. shrimp. as. thelatter-is moved on its backtoward said tool, and means on saidtable: forremoving the legs from the shrimp. as the latter continues to. be moved:after the shell and. vein are removed from the body of said shrimp.

4. A shrimp. peeling and deveining machine as defined inclaim 1, whereinan arm is mounted for pivotal move.- ment about a horizontal axis abovesaid conveyor, said arrn being inclined downwardly and forwardly betweenthe guide means and disposed forwardly of' the front-end of saidconveyor, said: arm. having a serrated lower edge, and resilient meansto urge; said arm to swing downwardly about its. pivotal axis.

5. A shrimp. peeling and deveining machine as defined in claim 1,wherein a rotary disk is mounted to rotate on a horizontal axisdisposedisubstantially directly above and parallel with the. axis of rotation ofsaid forward wheel, saiddisc mounting being moveable so. as. to afford.freedom of vertical movement. to said disc, so that the lower edgethereof may project between said guide means sub.- stan ially directlyover the. piercing end of'said tool;

6. A shrimp peeling and deveining machine. as. defined in claim 5,wherein said, disc is. formed with a peripheral groove,between. two,annular shoulders at the peripheral edgesof the disc, whereby bettecontact with the shrimp may be, obtained to, press. the; latter againstthe surface of the. conveyor,

7,. A, shrimp, meat separating machine as defined in claim 1', whereinmeans is, provided. for guiding the shell removed, from. the. shrimpbody. toaseparate point of discharge, and means is provided to guide themeat to another; point, of dischargeaften thelegsare removed.

8. A, shrimp peeling and deveining machine comprising a. table; a pairof wheels below said, table, rotatable on horizontal, axes, a, belt,interconnecting said wheels, the upper run of the belt-being. locatedsubstantially in the planeofi the top. of the, table; a pair ofbeltsmounted on vertical pulleys on-v the tablewith the inner runs ofthe belts located'ahove; the upper run of the first belt, means to drivethe said belts; so that a shrimp fed between, the inner runs of -said,pair of; beltswill be movedforwardly and. saidupper run, of saidfirstbeltwill move in. the same direction, the forward; wheel ofthe pair ofwheels carryingsaidfirstbQl-tf, being; formedwith a central peripheralgroove between two peripheral cylindrical portions of substantial width,saidfirstmentioned, belt. contacting said cyl n r c l por ions of; he;forwar h l n pp sidesof the; grooveanrl; being normally, spaced from thebottom offsaid; g QOve; whereby; to. provide a yielding supportfior the;shrimp. as it; passes over said wheel; and. a eveiningr Ql ha i g a rarwardly. extending point, located; above. the axis: of. saidifonwardzwheel, adapted to ententhe sand vein of ashr-imp fed: forwardly.

9.. A shrimp peeling and deveining machine as defined in claim. 8;.wherein said deveining; tool' is formed with a depending 'curved edgeadjacent a portion of the first mentioned belt contacting the forwardwheel, whereby said portion. ofthe: belt may be. depressed into thegroove by said shell, as. the latter is: movech between said: belt andsaid" curved: edge.

110.v A; shrimppeelingand deveining machine as defined in claim 8,wherein a rotary diskis mounted to rotate on a horizontal axis: disposedsubstantially directly above and parallel. with the axis: of rotation ofsaid forward wheel, said disc mounting being movable so as affordfreedom of vertical movement to s aid disc, so that the lower edgethereofrnay project between the inner runs of the pair of beltssubstantiailly directly over the piercing end of said tool.

References: Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES] PATENTSv

1. A SHRIMP PEELING AND DEVEINING MACHINE COMPRISING A TABLE; AHORIZONTAL TRAVELLING ENDLESS CONVEYOR DISPOSED ON SAID TABLE, THE UPPERRUN OF WHICH CONVEYOR IS LOCATED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLANE OF THE TOPOF THE TABLE; RESILIENT LATERAL GUIDE MEANS LOCATED ABOVE THE UPPER RUNOF SAID CONVEYOR; MEANS ON THE TABLE FOR DRIVING SAID CONVEYOR SO THATSHRIMP FED BETWEEN SAID GUIDE MEANS WILL BE MOVE FORWARDLY ON THE UPPERRUN OF SAID CONVEYOR; A FORWARDLY DISPOSED WHEEL, OVER WHICH SAIDCONVEYOR IS TRAINED, SAID WHEEL BEING FORMED WITH A CENTRAL PERIPHERALGROOVE BETWEEN TWO PERIPHERAL CYLINDRICAL PORTIONS OF SUBSTANTIAL WIDTH,SAID ENDLESS CONVEYOR CONTACTING SAID CYLINDRICAL PORTIONS OF THEFORWARD WHEEL ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE GROOVE AND BEING NORMALLY SPACEDFROM THE BOTTOM OF SAID GROOVE WHEREBY TO PROVIDE A YIELDING SUPPORT FORTHE SHRIMP AS IT-PASSES OVER SAID WHEEL; AND A DEVEINING TOOL HAVING AREARWARDLY EXTENDING POINT, LOCATED ABOVE THE AXIS OF SAID FORWARDWHEEL, ADAPTED TO ENTER THE SAND VEIN OF A SHRIMP FED FORWARDLY.